The Sunday market in Buenos Aires’ San Telmo neighborhood is one of the city’s busiest events. Every Sunday, hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists head to La Defensa avenue, where nearly 300 market stalls stretch over several blocks in the neighborhood.Founded in 1971, it was originally known as the San Telmo Antiques Fair. There are still pockets of fascinating antiques to be seen, but the market has since developed into much more than that, with stalls that offer tourist trinkets, jewelry, wool scarves from Patagonia, handmade dolls, street musicians and performers, food and tango.The oldest neighborhood in Buenos Aires, San Telmo still has cobble-stone streets and beautiful colonial buildings. Some buildings are well-preserved, while others are crumbling, but they all add to the character of this part of Buenos Aires. Even if you don’t visit the neighborhood when the market is up and running, San Telmo is a great area to visit. You can pop into the many antique shops or have coffee in one of the bars and cafes that transport you back to the turn of the 20th century.Plaza Dorrego is a little square where tango shows are performed on market days. When there is no market, it is easier to sit and enjoy a cafe con leche and watch the world go by.On Sundays, the neighborhood is packed from morning to late afternoon, when the market vendors begin the daily toil of carefully packing their treasures back up in newspapers and boxes. There certainly are treasures to be found here! Have a look at all the fun stuff we saw at the San Telmo Sunday Market:Of course there is a lot related to tango…

Keep up with me! Get updates, additional stories that don't make it on the blog, future travel plans, and travel tips. I also answer reader questions and have some pretty sweet travel giveaways exclusive to newsletter subscribers!

Wow, these pictures look more like shots from a vibrant street festival than a market! Love the colours and the creativity and all the little details! And you’re right about it not being legal to sell nazi ‘souvenirs’ in Germany – in other countries you often see that stuff, though… Anyway, great post:)!!

Vera – it actually felt more like a street festival with all the performers and musicians and Brazilian dancers I was a little bit shocked to see so many things from the Third Empire around the market though, to be honest – seems to be popular here!

So much stuff I’ve seen about Argentina lately makes me realize it’s much more dynamic than I’d imagined. I love markets like this which can be kind of kitschy and play to travelers ideas about a place, but at the same time give you an accurate glimpse into what makes the place unique.

Travel Gear I use

Follow Me

Meet The Globetrottergirl…

I am Dani, a full-time traveler since 2010 when I escaped my cubicle and decided to travel the world. I have been on the road ever since and I've got no plans to stop any time soon! Read the full story here